Banario stakes One FC crown vs Oishi May 31

Honorio “The Rock” Banario stakes his featherweight title for the first time against top contender Koji Oishi in the main fight of One FC: Rise to Power on May 31 at the Mall of Asia Arena.

The ferocious striker from Baguio City will defend the belt he won at the expense of Eric Kelly in their title clash three months ago in Kuala Lumpur.

Banario, 23, is the first Filipino champion of the One FC, a multimillion-dollar mixed martial arts outfit that has earned a very strong following in the continent with Manila being touted by organizers as the fight capital of Asia.

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“I would love to showcase my skills in front of Filipino fight fans. They will be my inspiration when I defend my belt,” said Banario, the current URCC lightweight champion who dropped to featherweight in a bid to figure in the vacant weight class of the One FC.

A wushu artist with exceptional power in his hands, Banario will be challenged by a ground-and-pound specialist in Oishi, a veteran of 32 fights, including 23 victories.